Burnishing device for the fingernails



March 16, 1954 T. J. MADDEN BURNISHING DEVICE FOR THE FINGERNAILS Filed Oct. 18, 1951 m: m N TA. Q mm wmm $1M N E w J m W w T.

Patented Mar. 16, 1954 BURNISHING DEVIGEYFOETHE FINGER sms Thomas Joseph MaddenflSeIIeville; N ."J Application October 18, 1951, Serial No. 251,870

1 Claim.

:.This invention relates to .rimprovements in manicuring implements and, more particularly, to a burnishing stick for imparting a pleasant and even finish to the edges of the finger-nails.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a device for developing a finish of high luster which is equal to a polished ivory feel on the edges, immediate top surface, near edge, immediate underside surface, near edge, and sides of the edges of the finger-nails as the physical shape of the finger-nail will permit.

Another object is to provide a device that will tend to eliminate leads or cracks in fingernails, thereby largely eliminating hindrance to finger-nail growth.

A further object is to provide a device that will aid in preventing the flaking and fraying of the finger-nails.

Other objects of the instant invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the attainment of these objectives, the burnishing stick is made in the form of an elongated cylindrical body from any suitable type of wood or plastic material. The tips of the cylindrical body are rounded and intermediate the rounded tips are a plurality of specially shaped longitudinal grooves, each groove being of different depth, curved upwardly and terminating at the periphery. The surface of the cylindrical body on both sides of one of the grooves is flattened to provide a means for burnishing the edges of the finger-nails of very short length and also to vary the depth of the groove for nails of different lengths.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing showing by way of example the preferred embodiment of the inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the burnishing stick constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view along 33 of Figure 1 but on an nlarged scale.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings where like reference numerals indicate like parts, reference numeral It indicates the burnishing stick.

The burnishing stick is constituted of an elongated cylindrical body ll made of wood or a. plastic material, preferably soft wood or re- .silient plastic material, ,.and; is approximately five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter and six and one-half inches in length. Both end extremities I2 and I3 of the body H are rounded or blunted as illustrated, while adjacent each rounded end I 2 and I3 are the circumferential cuts or recesses M and l 5, respectively, which may be used for the attachment of decorative printed matter or the like.

Intermediate the circumferential cuts or recesses hi and [5 are three spaced longitudinal grooves 16, ii and Hi. All of the grooves at each end are of upwardly directed arcuate form as most clearly shown in Figure 2. The groove It (Fig. 3) is of the least depth and greatest width at the top relative to the later described grooves l! and Hi. In addition, the groove 16 is of arcuate cross section as illustrated.

The groove I 1 is of V-shape but with the inner extremity slightly rounded. It will be noted in Figure 3 that in comparison with the previously mentioned groove I6, the groove H has a greater depth and less width at the top.

The groove I8 is unique in that the surfaces i9 and 20 adjacent the sides thereof are flattened. Both flattened surfaces [9 and 20 are in planes parallel to the longitudinal center line of the elongated body, but the surface I9 is in a plane further removed from the longitudinal center line of the body than the surface 20. It will also be noted in Figure 3, that the groove is as measured from the flattened surface l9, most remote from the longitudinal center line, has a greater depth than the groove l1 and a width as measured at the flattened surface 20 less than the width of the groove I1.

In operation-After roughly shaping the finger-nails by cutting or filing, the groove most suited to the desired length of the finger-nail is selected. Holding the elongated body stationary in one hand, the end of the finger-nail to be burnished is inserted in the selected groove and the finger-nail under moderate pressure moved back and forth along the length of the groove. A slight twisting motion with the wrist will expose the entire edge of the finger-nail to contact with the groove as it is advanced and returned therein. At times, it may be more convenient to hold the finger stationary while moving the elongated body around the edge of the finger-nail. By continuing the process a smooth high luster is obtained on the edge of the nail. The flattened surfaces l9 and 20 on each side of the groove I8 provide a grooveless surface for burnishing nails too short for insertion in any groove and by positioning the surfaces in two different planes a groove of two different depths is provided dependent upon which one of the flattened surfaces is selected for guiding the fleshy end of the finger when burnishing the end of the finger nail. By turning the grooves upwardly at the ends, a burnishing surface of arcuate form is provided for finishing the sides of the nails.

While there is above disclosed but one embodiment of the structure, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without departing from the inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired therefore that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claim as are stated therein or required by the prior art.

What is claimed is:

A burnishing device for the ends of the fingernails, the device comprising an elongated cylindrical body of resilient material blunted at both 20 ends, the body further having a circumferential recess formed therein adjacent each blunted end and at least one longitudinal groove formed therein intermediate the recesses, said longitudinal groove being of upwardly turned arcuate form at the end extremities thereof, the sur face of the elongated body on groove being flattened in planes parallel to-the longitudinal center line of the body, the plane of the flattened surface on one side of the groove being further removed from the longitudinal center line of the body than the plane of the surface on the opposite side of the groove.

THOMAS JOSEPH MADDEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 587,243 Sloan July 27, 1897 1,743,010 Wilmot Jan. '7, 1930 2,573,310 Collier Oct. 30, 1951 both sides pf the 

